Well, I *think* I need a new voltage regulator.
I've got a european spec 1986 320i (which means it has a 6 cylinder M20 and L-Jetronic.)
It idles at 8-900 rpm until I put an electrical load on it like the headlights. Then the idle will vary regularly and consistently from 500 to 1000, with a period of about 2 or 3 seconds. My cheap LCD display voltmeter shows a voltage variation of about 13 to 14 volts. I bet if I had an analog or true RMS voltmeter it would show a much larger variation.
But which comes first? Does the power drain cause the surging idle or does a poor state of tune cause inability to adapt to the drag from the alternator?
Anybody seen this before? Is there something more arcane I'm missing?
As a side issue; where in North America and preferably Canda, do I buy ignition wires of the european internal port (saw-tooth?) style?
Parts in general for a genuinely eurospec car?
I've got a european spec 1986 320i (which means it has a 6 cylinder M20 and L-Jetronic.)
It idles at 8-900 rpm until I put an electrical load on it like the headlights. Then the idle will vary regularly and consistently from 500 to 1000, with a period of about 2 or 3 seconds. My cheap LCD display voltmeter shows a voltage variation of about 13 to 14 volts. I bet if I had an analog or true RMS voltmeter it would show a much larger variation.
But which comes first? Does the power drain cause the surging idle or does a poor state of tune cause inability to adapt to the drag from the alternator?
Anybody seen this before? Is there something more arcane I'm missing?
As a side issue; where in North America and preferably Canda, do I buy ignition wires of the european internal port (saw-tooth?) style?
Parts in general for a genuinely eurospec car?
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